Rodano between village history and nature

Rodano between village history and nature

In the hamlet of Lucino, Rodano shows how closely rural architecture, village history and botanical themes are connected. Casa Gola is a typical example of Lombard rural architecture and corresponds to the original settlement core of Lucino, a hamlet of Rodano.

Casa Gola also houses the Polo Botanico del Parco Agricolo Sud Milano. The institution serves educational and scientific purposes related to botanical biodiversity. The building is also home to the Erbario della Flora Padana, a collection of dried specimens of spontaneously growing and cultivated plant species typical of the entire Po Valley. Culture and nature therefore do not appear separately here.

Historical traces in Lucino

The Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista reaches far back into history: the first records of the church date from the late 14th century. The present structure dates from the 16th century and was later extensively remodeled.

The church helps ensure that the square still reveals the origins of a typical square in an agriculturally oriented village. These include two Cascine, the church and the former town hall, which is now used as a private residence. Sarcophagi recovered from the Cascine of Rodano are also displayed in front of the Municipio in Lucino.

The Strada del Duca also points to older landscape and transport structures. In 1760, Duke Gabrio Serbelloni had the old route of a field path restored and straightened; its origin followed a Roman centuriation. In the surroundings of Lucino-Rodano are also Cascina Imperiale, Palazzo Uffici and Villa Visconti D’Aragona, each a palace. HangarBicocca, a museum, is located there as well.

Spring landscapes and parks

The “Sorgenti della Muzzetta” Nature Reserve was established by the Lombardy Region in 1984 and included in the list of Sites of Community Importance. The complex of spring outlets from which the Muzzetta originates is to be protected.

In the immediate surroundings of Lucino-Rodano are Besozza and the Parco delle Cascine, both parks. The area also contains Porta Garibaldi and Arco della Pace, two natural arches. Parco dei Morettoni is a publicly accessible park with a covered refreshment area and a barbecue area. The range of places worth visiting thus extends from historic buildings and museum culture to parks, springs and distinctive landscape forms.

Plan your hotel stay according to your interests

When choosing a hotel for your stay in Rodano, your personal focus can guide your planning. Visitors interested in culture will find several closely connected themes in Lucino: rural architecture, church history, the historic village square, sarcophagi and the Strada del Duca. Those who wish to focus their stay more strongly on landscape and nature can make the “Sorgenti della Muzzetta” Nature Reserve, the parks and the natural arches the center of their itinerary. The botanical facilities at Casa Gola also offer an opportunity to bring culture and nature together in a single visit.

Discover more destinations

For further travel planning, you can also explore Albairate, Pero, Arconate, Pregnana Milanese, Abbiategrasso, Magenta, Pantigliate and Inveruno.

To the higher-level travel overview: Milan.